USGS TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS

USGS Topographical Maps

A topographic map is a line-and-symbol representation of natural and selected man-made features of the Earth's surface. A distinguishing characteristic of a topographic map is the portrayal of the shape and elevation of the terrain by using contour lines.

Major Topo Series Finding Aids Other Info Sources

Major Topographical Series

The Topographic Map Series of the National Mapping Program includes quadrangle and other map series published by the U.S. Geological Survey. The two major topographic map series owned by Bierce Library are listed below.

Series	Scale	One Inch Represents
7.5	1:24,000	2,000 feet
U.S. 1:250,000	1:250,000	about 4 miles

7.5 - minute Series (Bierce - Map Room)

OHIO - Ohio topographic maps are arranged by call number, G 4080s 24 .U6, then alphabetically by quadrangle name in the map cases with orange labels.

OTHER STATES - Bierce has partial holdings for other U.S. states (CA, IN, KS, MD, MI, MO, NE, NY, PA, SC, WV, WY). These are arranged by state in the map case drawers with green labels.

U.S. 1:250,000 (Bierce - Map Room) These maps are arranged by call number, G 3701s .C1 1957 .U61, then by series designation (NH, NI, NJ, etc.) in the map case drawers with orange labels.

U.S. 1:250,000 - Alaska (Bierce - Map Room) These maps are located in the map case drawers labeled ALASKA

Topographic Maps on CD-ROM (Bierce Library - Reference Desk)

Bierce Library also maintains an Electronic Mapping Workstation on a stand-alone computer behind the Reference Desk. Two topographic map programs are available:

TopScout/Terrain Navigator -- Maptech, Inc., 1:24,000/25,000 and 1:100,000 scale topographic maps from U.S. Geological Survey. Maps for the state of Ohio only (4 CD-ROMs).

TopoUSA 2.0 - DeLorme, Topographic maps for the entire USA. Can also draw 3-D image of an area. (6 CD-ROMs)

Finding Aids (Bierce - Map Room)

Various sources exist to help one determine which area or region is represented on which topographic map. Topographic maps are generally arranged by series or quadrangle name.

Official Eastern North America Map and Chart Index Catalog	Map Room Z 6028 .U475 1975a
Official Western North America Map and Chart Index Catalog	Map Room Z 6028 .U475 1975
Index Maps (located in drawer labeled - U.S. Topographic and Geologic Index Maps, Map Room)
Omni Gazetteer of the United States of America (11 vols.)	Ref E 154 .O45 1991

Other Information Sources on Topographic Maps

Catalog of Topographic and Other Published Maps	Gov Doc I 19.41/6-2:
Index to Topographic and Other Map Coverage	Gov Doc Ref I 19.41/6-3:
Ohio Index to Topographic and Other Map Coverage	Gov Doc Ref I 19.41/6-3:Oh 3
Ohio Catalog of Topographic and Other Published Maps	Gov Doc Ref I 19.41/6-2:Oh 3
Harvey, P.D.A., The History of Topographical Maps	GA 125 .H37 1989
Miller, Victor C. Interpretation of Topographic Maps	GA 151 .M54 1989
Thompson, Morris M., Maps for America	Gov Doc I 19.2: M32/12/891

Library guides are intended to give you a start on a particular aspect of the library. They are not intended to provide comprehensive instruction. Ask at a reference desk for further assistance.

Revised by Peter Linberger, Dec 6, 2001